Gaming system, a method of gaming and a jackpot game controller

ABSTRACT

A system, and a method of gaming on the system. The method includes conducting a progressive jackpot game comprising a plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes stored in respective ones of a plurality of jackpot meters, obtaining a jackpot increment; and updating the jackpot meters by selectively incrementing one of the jackpot prizes with the jackpot increment.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Australian Patent Application No.2009904993, having a filing date of Oct. 13, 2009, and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/321,264, having a filing date of Apr. 6, 2010, whichare incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gaming system, a method of gaming anda jackpot game controller.

In existing jackpot systems, jackpot increments are received by ajackpot controller. If the jackpot controller maintains plural jackpots,the increment is spread across the jackpots in accordance with a definedsplit of the increment. For example, three jackpots split 60:30:10. Theincrements can be small (fractions of what is wagered) and accordinglythe split of the increments will result in smaller sums. By way ofexample, the soft meters which hold the jackpot values may need to beable to hold up to 14 decimal places depending on regulatoryrequirements. The displayed value of the jackpot meter will onlyturnover when the soft meter increases by a designated amount.

While such jackpot systems provide players with enjoyment, a need existsfor alternative jackpot systems in order to maintain or increase playerenjoyment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming comprising:

conducting a progressive jackpot game comprising a plurality of separateprogressive jackpot prizes stored in respective ones of a plurality ofjackpot meters;

obtaining a jackpot increment; and

updating the jackpot meters by selectively incrementing one of thejackpot prizes with the jackpot increment.

In an embodiment, the method comprises obtaining a plurality of jackpotincrements and incrementing one of the jackpot prizes for each jackpotincrement.

In an embodiment, the method comprises determining that one of theplurality of separate jackpot prizes has reached a prize threshold dueto prior jackpot increments, and subsequently updating the jackpotmeters by selectively incrementing one of the one or more other jackpotprizes with each jackpot increment.

In an embodiment, selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprisesrandomly determining which of the jackpot prizes to increment inaccordance with probabilities set to provide a desired apportionment ofthe increments between the jackpot prizes.

In an embodiment, incrementing the jackpot prizes comprises incrementingthe jackpot prizes in accordance with a designated sequence ofincrements to apportion the increments between the jackpot prizes.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a jackpot controller, thejackpot controller arranged to:

conduct a progressive jackpot game comprising a plurality of separateprogressive jackpot prizes stored in respective ones of a plurality ofjackpot meters;

receive a jackpot increment; and

update the jackpot meters by selectively incrementing one of the jackpotprizes with the jackpot increment.

In an embodiment, the jackpot controller is arranged to receive aplurality of jackpot increments and incrementing one of the jackpotprizes for each jackpot increment.

In an embodiment, the jackpot controller is arranged to determine thatone of the plurality of separate jackpot prizes has reached a prizethreshold due to prior jackpot increments, and subsequently update thejackpot meters by selectively incrementing one of the one or more otherjackpot prizes with each jackpot increment.

In an embodiment, selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprisesthe jackpot controller randomly determining which of the jackpot prizesto increment in accordance with probabilities set to provide a desiredapportionment of the increments between the jackpot prizes.

In an embodiment, selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprisesthe jackpot controller incrementing the jackpot prizes in accordancewith a designated sequence of increments to apportion the incrementsbetween the jackpot prizes.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system comprising:

a jackpot controller;

a plurality of jackpot meters storing respective ones of a plurality ofseparate progressive jackpot prizes; and

a plurality of gaming devices in data communication with the jackpotcontroller and arranged to communicate jackpot increments to the jackpotcontroller,

the jackpot controller arranged to receive the jackpot increments andupdate the jackpot meters by selectively incrementing one of theplurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes with each jackpotincrement.

In an embodiment, the jackpot controller is arranged to determine thatone of the plurality of separate jackpot prizes has reached a prizethreshold due to prior jackpot increments, and subsequently update thejackpot meters by selectively incrementing one of the one or more otherjackpot prizes with each jackpot increment.

In an embodiment, selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprisesthe jackpot controller randomly determining which of the jackpot prizesto increment in accordance with probabilities set to provide a desiredapportionment of the increments between the jackpot prizes.

In an embodiment, selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprisesthe jackpot controller incrementing the jackpot prizes in accordancewith a designated sequence of increments to apportion the incrementsbetween the jackpot prizes.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a jackpot controllercomprising:

a network interface via which the jackpot controller receives jackpotincrements;

a plurality of jackpot meters storing jackpot values for respective onesof a plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes; and

an increment processor arranged to process each received jackpotincrement to selectively increment one of the jackpot prizes with thejackpot increment.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gamingsystem, the game controller the game controller comprising a memorystoring jackpot values for respective ones of a plurality of separateprogressive jackpot prizes, the game controller arranged to conduct agame, obtain jackpot increments based on play of the game, and toselectively increment one of the jackpot prizes with each jackpotincrement.

In a sixth aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming comprising:

conducting a progressive jackpot game comprising a plurality of separateprogressive jackpot prizes stored in respective ones of a plurality ofjackpot meters;

determining that a threshold has been reached in respect of one of thejackpot prizes; and

subsequently updating the jackpot meters by incrementing one or more ofthe other jackpot prizes with jackpot increments intended for thejackpot prize in respect of which a threshold has been met.

In an embodiment, the method comprises updating the jackpot meters byselectively incrementing one of the one or more other jackpot prizeswith each jackpot increment.

In an embodiment, the method comprises selectively incrementing thejackpot prizes comprises randomly determining which of the jackpotprizes to increment from jackpot prizes which have not reached thethreshold.

In an embodiment, each jackpot increment is divided amongst jackpotprizes which have not reached the threshold and once a jackpot prizereaches the threshold, increments intended for the jackpot which hasreached the threshold are provided to a designated one or more of theone or more other jackpot prizes.

In a seventh aspect, the invention provides a jackpot controller, thejackpot controller arranged to:

conduct a progressive jackpot game comprising a plurality of separateprogressive jackpot prizes stored in respective ones of a plurality ofjackpot meters;

determine that a threshold has been reached in respect of one of thejackpot prizes; and

update the jackpot meters by incrementing one or more of the otherjackpot prizes with jackpot increments intended for the jackpot prize inrespect of which a threshold has been met subsequent to the thresholdbeing met.

In an embodiment, the jackpot meters by selectively incrementing one ofthe one or more other jackpot prizes with each jackpot increment.

In an embodiment, selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprisesrandomly determining which of the jackpot prizes to increment fromjackpot prizes which have not reached the threshold.

In an embodiment, each jackpot increment is divided amongst jackpotprizes which have not reached the threshold and once a jackpot prizereaches the threshold, increments intended for the jackpot which hasreached the threshold are provided to a designated one or more of theone or more other jackpot prizes.

In an eighth aspect, the invention provides a gaming system comprising:

a jackpot controller;

a plurality of jackpot meters storing respective ones of a plurality ofjackpot prizes; and

a plurality of gaming devices in data communication with the jackpotcontroller and arranged to communicate jackpot increments to the jackpotcontroller,

the jackpot controller arranged to:

determine that a threshold has been reached in respect of one ofplurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes; and

update the jackpot meters by incrementing one or more of the otherjackpot prizes with jackpot increments intended for the jackpot prize inrespect of which a threshold has been met subsequent to the thresholdbeing met.

In an embodiment, the jackpot controller is arranged to update thejackpot meters by selectively incrementing one of the one or more otherjackpot prizes with each jackpot increment.

In an embodiment, selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprisesrandomly determining which of the jackpot prizes to increment fromjackpot prizes which have not reached the threshold.

In an embodiment, each jackpot increment is divided amongst jackpotprizes which have not reached the threshold and once a jackpot prizereaches the threshold, increments intended for the jackpot which hasreached the threshold are provided to a designated one or more of theone or more other jackpot prizes.

In a ninth aspect, the invention provides a jackpot controllercomprising:

a network interface via which the jackpot controller receives jackpotincrements;

a plurality of jackpot meters storing jackpot values for respective onesof a plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes; and

an increment processor arranged to process each received jackpotincrement, determine that a threshold has been reached in respect of oneof plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes, and increment oneor more of the other jackpot prizes with any jackpot increments intendedfor the jackpot prize in respect of which a threshold has been met.

In a tenth aspect, the invention provides a game controller for a gamingsystem, the game controller arranged to conduct a game, the gamecontroller comprising a memory storing jackpot values for respectiveones of a plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes, and beingarranged to conduct a game, obtain jackpot increments based on play ofthe game, determine that a threshold has been reached in respect of oneof plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes, and increment oneor more of the other jackpot prizes with any jackpot increments intendedfor the jackpot prize in respect of which a threshold has been met.

In an eleventh aspect the invention provides computer program code whichwhen executed implements the above method.

In a twelfth aspect the invention provides a tangible computer readablemedium comprising the computer program code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming system with a jackpot gamecontroller;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a stand alone gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gamingmachine;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the functional components of a memory;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a network gaming system;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a jackpot game controller;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a jackpot game controller;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a gaming device in the form of astandalone gaming machine;

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a jackpot game controller of afurther embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention may be implemented in a number of forms, for example in astand alone form on a specific gaming device, such as an electronicgaming machine, to selectively increment jackpot values of a pluralityof progressive jackpot prizes that can be won by play of that device orin a jackpot controller connected to a plurality of gaming devices suchthat any one of the gaming devices can win one of the progressivejackpot prizes.

Overview of Exemplary Gaming System with a Jackpot Controller

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary gaming system 1 where a jackpot gamecontroller 150 is in data communication over a network 2, such as anEthernet, with a bank of five gaming devices in the form of standalonegaming machines 10 to receive jackpot increments and determine whetherto make a jackpot award to one of the gaming machines

Gaming Devices

Gaming devices capable of participating in the method of gaming of theembodiment can take any suitable form including stand alone gamingmachines and server based gaming terminals.

A gaming device in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 isillustrated in FIG. 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12having a display 14 on which are displayed representations of a game 16that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with thegaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 alsohouses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coininput chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanismsmay also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smartcard, debit card or credit card. Other gaming machines may be configuredfor ticket in that they have a ticket reader for reading tickets havinga value and crediting the player based on the face value of the ticker.A player marketing module (not shown) having a reading device may alsobe provided for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, forexample as part of a loyalty program. The player tracking device may bein the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage mediumcapable of being read by the reading device. In some embodiments, theplayer marketing module may provide an additional credit mechanism,either by transferring credits to the gaming machine from credits storedon the player tracking device or by transferring credits from a playeraccount in data communication with the player marketing module.

A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.

The display 14 shown in FIG. 2 is in the form of a video display unit,particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, thedisplay 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any othersuitable video display unit, or the visible portion of anelectromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, forexample a video display unit, which may be of the same type as thedisplay 14, or of a different type.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gamingmachine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine ofFIG. 2.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102 mounted on a circuit board. Instructions and data to controloperation of the processor 102 are stored in a memory 103, which is indata communication with the processor 102. Typically, the gaming machine100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than oneof each type of memory, with such memories being collectivelyrepresented by the memory 103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheraldevices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/orthe peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memoryfor storing associated instructions and data for use with theinput/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random numbergenerator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference torandom numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a player interface 120 includesperipheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101including one or more displays 106, a touch screen and/or buttons 107(which provide a game play mechanism), a card and/or ticket reader 108,a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism 110 and acoin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be included as partof the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted as required forthe specific implementation. For example, while buttons or touch screensare typically used in gaming machines to allow a player to place a wagerand initiate a play of a game any input device that enables the playerto input game play instructions may be used.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a bonus controller, central controller, server ordatabase and receive data or commands from the bonus controller, centralcontroller, server or database. In embodiments employing a playermarketing module, communications over a network may be via playermarketing module—i.e. the player marketing module may be in datacommunication with one or more of the above devices and communicate withit on behalf of the gaming machine.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller101.

In a client server architecture a gaming device is provided by a gamingclient and game server (and optionally other gaming network components).A gaming client has a similar outward appearance to gaming machine 10but the game server implements most or all of the game and as such actsas the game controller while the terminal operated by the playeressentially provides only the player interface. The gaming terminalreceives player instructions, pass these to the game server which willprocess them and return game play outcomes to the gaming machine fordisplay. Further details of a client/server gaming architecture can befound in WO 2006/052213 and PCT/SE2006/000559, the disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference. In such an embodiment, a jackpotgame controller can be provided, for example, by a dedicated server indata communication with the game server.

FIG. 5 shows that a gaming device may be connected within a gamingnetwork 200 which provides additional and/or enhanced functionality. Thegaming network 200 includes a network 201, which for example may be anEthernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arranged in three banks 203of two gaming machines 202 in FIG. 5, are connected to the network 201.The gaming machines 202 provide a player operable interface and may bethe same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Whilebanks 203 of two gaming machines are illustrated in FIG. 5, banks ofone, three or more gaming machines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. Forexample, the displays 204 may be associated with one or more banks 203of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to displayrepresentations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202,and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional orinformational material. In an embodiment, a jackpot controller can beprovided for a bank of machines as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The jackpot game controller can be provided within such a network 200 byjackpot server 207, such that the jackpot game server may implement ajackpot game for a plurality of different banks of gaming machinesrather than a specific jackpot controller being provide for each bank ofgaming machines. Alternatively, there may be a single jackpot for thenetwork managed by the jackpot server.

A database management server 206 may manage storage of game programs andassociated data for downloading or access by the gaming devices 202 in adatabase 206A. A loyalty program server 212 may also be provided.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration ofthe gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor managementserver 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licensesrelating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is providedto allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devicesconnected to the network.

The gaming network 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, otherlocal networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide areanetwork such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with knowntechniques, functionality at the server side of the network may bedistributed over a plurality of different computers. For example,elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separateserver may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run arandom generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random numbergenerator server could be provided.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a gaming device in the form of astand alone gaming machine. The gaming device 900 may be the same ordifferent to gaming machine 10,100 described above. In FIG. 9, theprocessor 930 of game controller 920 is shown implementing a number ofmodules based on program code and data stored in memory 940. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that various of the modules could beimplemented in some other way, for example by a dedicated circuit.Several features are shown in dotted lines in FIG. 9 to indicate thatthey need not be present in all embodiments, and indeed jackpot meterdata 942,943 is for standalone embodiments which are described below.

The gaming device 900 includes a player interface 910 having a display911 for displaying game outcomes to a player and a game play mechanism912 including input devices such as touch screen or buttons to enablethe player to interact with the game by placing wagers and entering anyother instructions required to play the game. Game play mechanism 912also enables the player to interact with the game to learn game rulesetc. The player interface 910 includes a credit mechanism 913 allowingthe player to input credit into the gaming device 900 and/or be paid outany winnings or remaining credit. A person skilled in the art willappreciate that other components will be present in a gaming device 900such as those described in relation to FIGS. 2 to 4 above. The memory940 includes program code for implementing a game including game ruledata 941 for implementing the rules of a game.

The processor 930 when executing the program code stored in memory 940is arranged to generate outcomes of the game in response to theoperation of the game play mechanism 912. The outcomes are generatedwith the outcome generator 931. The outcome evaluator 932 evaluates thegame outcomes that are generated based on the wager specified with thegame play mechanism 912 and updates credit data 942 which stores acredit meter and a win meter for the game.

The game that is played, may be for example, a spinning reel type gamewhere a player places a wager by selecting how many lines are played ineach game and an amount to bet per line. Such win lines are typicallyformed by a combination of symbol display positions, one from each reel,the symbol display positions being located relative to one another suchthat they form a line.

In many games, the player may win in addition to winning combinationswhich occur on the selected win lines for example, “scatter” pays areawarded independently of a players selection of pay lines and are aninherent part of the evaluation of the generated outcome.

Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that in other embodiments,an evaluation entitlement may be based on a number of reels to play suchas in games are marketed under the trade name “Reel Power” by AristocratLeisure Industries Pty Ltd. The selection of the reel means that eachdisplayed symbol of the reel can be substituted for a symbol at one ormore designated display positions. In other words, all symbols displayedat symbol display positions corresponding to a selected reel can be usedto form symbol combinations with symbols displayed at a designated,symbol display positions of the other reels. For example, if there arefive reels and three symbol display positions for each reel such thatthe symbol display positions comprise three rows of five symbol displaypositions, the symbols displayed in the centre row are used fornon-selected reels. As a result, the total number of ways to win isdetermined by multiplying the number of active display positions of eachreel, the active display positions being all display positions of eachselected reel and the designated display position of the non-selectedreels. As a result for five reels and fifteen display positions thereare 243 ways to win.

Once the player places a bet, the outcome generator selects symbols foreach reel using stop positions for each reel determined by randomselection by the random number generator 934 these are evaluated byoutcome evaluator against a pay table which forms part of game ruledata.

The processor 930 also implements a jackpot module 933 which has ajackpot incrementer 933A which determines the jackpot increment which isto apply based on the wager (e.g. a fixed percentage of the amountwagered), and in the embodiment, communicates the jackpot increment viacommunication interface 950 to the jackpot game controller. The jackpotmodule 933 also has a jackpot award handler 933B which is arranged tocommunicate with the jackpot controller 150 when play of the gamingdevice 900 results in award of a jackpot. In this respect, in theillustrated embodiment, jackpot module has a jackpot awarder 932A. Eachtime the player plays the game, the jackpot awarder 933C conducts arandom trial using random number generator 934 with a probability ofsuccess based on the size of the jackpot increment and a base jackpotprobability stored in game rule data 941. If the jackpot awarder 933Cwins a jackpot, award handler 933B communicates with the jackpotcontroller 150 that the award has been made and awaits confirmation andthe amount one. Award handler 933B may also take other actions, forexample to initiate an attendant call for payment of a large jackpot.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that jackpots may be awardedin other ways by the game controller 920, or in other embodiments beawarded by the jackpot controller. For example, the above describedrandom trials could be conducted at the jackpot controller.

Jackpot Game Controller and its Operation within the Gaming System

Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown further detail of the jackpot gamecontroller 150. From FIG. 6 it will be apparent that jackpot gamecontroller 150 is in data communication with a communal display 160 onwhich current values of the jackpot prizes can be displayed to theplayers playing the bank of gaming machines 10 shown in FIG. 1. In otherembodiments, the gaming outcomes could be displayed on a top box of theindividual gaming machines 10, rather than being displayed on a communaldisplay, or in addition to such a display.

Referring to FIG. 6, the constitution of the jackpot game controller 150is similar to that of the gaming device illustrated in relation to FIGS.2 to 4 and 9 in that it has a processor 151 arranged to implement thejackpot game based on program code stored in memory 152 and a displaydriver 154 for driving the display 160 to show the jackpot game outcome.The jackpot game controller 150 also includes a communication interface153 which is designed to enable the processor 151 to communicate witheach of the gaming devices 10 to receive jackpot increments and inrelation to any prize award.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate the above components are thecore components for implementing a jackpot game but other components maybe present in a jackpot game controller.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the jackpot gaming controller150 which shows that the processor 151 implements a number of modules ina similar manner to the processor of the gaming device shown in FIG. 9.The processor executes program code stored in memory 152 to instantiatean increment processor 703 which receives a jackpot increments from thegaming devices 10.

The increment processor 703 then determines which of the jackpot'sprizes to increment for each received jackpot increment. In thisrespect, there are at least two different jackpot prizes and typicallythree or more jackpot prizes with different names such as “Grand, Major”and “Minor”. For each of these prizes there is a soft meter which keepsand absolute value of the jackpot 711 stored in memory 152. The jackpotdisplay controller 704 determines from these absolute values what actualvalue of the prize is to be displayed on display 160. In the embodiment,for each increment the random number generator is asked to return avalue in the range of 0 to 1 and portions of this range are allocated todifferent ones of the jackpot such that the increment processor, when itreceives the random number generator, response determines which of thejackpot soft meters 711 to increment based on the range to which thereturned number belongs. Accordingly, only one of the jackpot softmeters is incremented for each increment. As a result, there is anincreased likelihood in this embodiment that one of the soft meters willincrease to a value such that the displayed value by the jackpot displaycontroller 704 will increase on the display because the entirety ofincrement is being made to one of the jackpots under the selectivecontrol of the increment processor 704.

The probabilities of particular jackpot prizes being incremented arestored as increment probability data 712 and memory 152. Theseprobabilities are chosen so that over time, the relative size of thejackpots will be controlled relative to a desired range. A personskilled in the art will appreciate that as in existing jackpots, theembodiment could be employed in accordance with start up values for eachjackpot, including hidden pools where portions of the increment aresyphoned to a start up pool for when the jackpot is won.

In an alternative embodiment rather than the random incrementation ofthe jackpot values, a sequence of increments may be stored in memory 152which give the appearance of randomly apportioning the incrementsamongst the jackpot prizes but which otherwise achieve the desiredeffect of increasing the rate at which at least one prize value isdisplayed as incrementing because it receives all of the increment.

FIG. 7 shows that the jackpot controller includes a jackpot awarder 706which handles requests received from gaming devices 900 for award of ajackpot. When the jackpot awarder 706 receives such a request it locksthe existing value of the jackpot in respect of which the award is to bemade and starts a new soft meter for that jackpot. The jackpot awarder706 then communicates the amount won to the relevant gaming device by adata communication interface 153.

In an alternative embodiment, the jackpot awarder 706 may conduct arandom trial for each received increment to determined whether to awarda jackpot in respect of the increment as described generally above.

FIG. 9, also shows how the gaming device 900 is modified to allow forthe possibility of the game being played on a stand alone gamingmachine. In this embodiment the jackpot soft meter 942 is stored in thememory 940 of the gaming device. In such embodiments, rather than thejackpot module 933 communicating the increments to the central jackpotcontroller, the jackpot incrementer 933A increments jackpot soft meterdata and also updates display 911 to show the current values of thestand alone jackpots which apply to the gaming device 900. In such anembodiment, the jackpot awarder 933C can act as above to randomlyconduct a trial using RNG 934 to determine whether to award a jackpot.In an alternative embodiment the jackpot awarder 933C may be part of theoutcome evaluator 932 in the sense that one of the outcomes of the gamemay be a particular symbol combination which corresponds to award of arespective one of the jackpots which is evaluated as having occurred.

In this embodiment, the award handler 933B may be required to initiate acommunication with an attendant in respect of the jackpot if thisrequires a large payout. A person skilled in the art will appreciateother variations which can be made to the gaming device. Otherwise, thejackpots are incremented in the same manner as described above exceptthat these functions are provided by the jackpot module 933 rather thanthe increment processor 703.

The method 800 of the embodiment is summarised in FIG. 8 and involvesconducting 810 a jackpot with plural jackpot prizes, receiving 820 anincrement and selectively incrementing 830 a jackpot prize.

In a further embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the increment processor1003 may be arranged to determine whether a threshold value 1012 of aprize has been reached. In such embodiments, the increment processor1003 selectively causes one or more others of the plurality of prizevalues to increment once one of the jackpots reaches a particular valuebased on increment rules 1013. For example, there may be three prizeshaving a $500 limit, a $1000 limit and a $5000 limit. In one embodiment,the increments which are received by the increment processor 1003 arenormally split in accordance with a desired probability ratio amongstthe three jackpot prizes. However, when one of the prizes reaches thethreshold 1012 stored in memory 152, the increment processor 1003 nolonger increments and any further increments the jackpot and theincrements are split between the other jackpots in accordance with adesired ratio. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that thisembodiment can be combined with the first embodiment where the randomnumber generator is employed such that the jackpot which is incrementedis selected randomly until it reaches a particular threshold value afterwhich selections are made randomly as to which of the other prize valuesto increment.

In a further variation of this embodiment, the increment rules 1013designate a specific one of the jackpot prizes which is to receiveincrements intended for a jackpot prize in respect of which a jackpotprize has been received. For example, the maximum allowable value of anyof the jackpots may be $1199. When any one of the jackpots reaches thisvalue, it stays statics and another one of the jackpots is incremented.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the jackpot may bedesignated in a number of ways. For example, an ordering or ranking ofthe jackpots may be applied such that, for example, the jackpotimmediately above or below in the ranking will receive the incrementsintended for the jackpot in respect of which a threshold has been met.In another example, the increments may be provided to the jackpot whichhas the lowest or highest current jackpot value. Depending on theembodiment, this decision could be made once or many times. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that such embodiments could also beimplemented in a standalone gaming device in an analogous manner. In oneexample, there may be Major, Maxi and Mini jackpots. Once the Majorjackpot reaches the threshold then one or other of the Maxi or Minijackpots is selected to receive the jackpot increments intended for theMajor jackpot—for example, the Maxi jackpot. The Maxi jackpot thenincrements by its own normal rate of progression plus the rate ofincrementation for the Major jackpot.

On example of such a method 1100 is shown in FIG. 11, where the methodinvolves conducting 1110 a jackpot with a plurality of jackpot prizes,receiving a jackpot increment 1120, and determining a jackpot prizewhich should be incremented 1130. The method determines 1135 whether theintended increment recipient has reached a threshold. Where the intendedjackpot has not reached a threshold, it is incremented 1140. Where theintended jackpot has reached a threshold, the increment is provided toanother jackpot prize 1150. Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat various of the above steps may be altered. For example, a jackpotcould be excluded as a potential increment recipient once it reaches athreshold.

Further aspects of the above methods will be apparent from the abovedescription of the gaming system. It will be appreciated that at leastpart of the method will be implemented digitally by a processor. Personsskilled in the art will also appreciate that the method could beembodied in program code. The program code could be supplied in a numberof ways, for example on a tangible computer readable storage medium,such as a disc or a memory (for example, that could replace part ofmemory 103) or as a data signal (for example, by transmitting it from aserver). Persons skilled in the art, will appreciate that program codeprovides a series of instructions executable by the processor.

Herein the term “processor” is used to refer generically to any devicethat can process game play instructions in accordance with game playrules and may include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmablelogic device or other computational device, a general purpose computer(e.g. a PC) or a server. That is a processor may be provided by anysuitable logic circuitry for receiving inputs, processing them inaccordance with instructions stored in memory and generating outputs(for example on the display). Such processors are sometimes alsoreferred to as central processing units (CPUs). Most processors aregeneral purpose units, however, it is also know to provide a specificpurpose processor, for example, an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the inventionthat many modifications may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention, in particular it will be apparent thatcertain features of embodiments of the invention can be employed to formfurther embodiments.

For example, the jackpot game controller 150 is shown in FIG. 1 as aseparate entity to the gaming devices 10. In an alternative embodiment,it could be provided by one of the gaming devices incorporating a servermodule arranged to implement the jackpot game controller in the mannerdescribed in Australian patent application 2008205413 filed 13 Aug.2008.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art is referred to herein,such reference does not constitute an admission that the prior art formsa part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of theinvention, except where the context requires otherwise due to expresslanguage or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variationssuch as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e.to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

1. A method of gaming comprising: conducting a progressive jackpot gamecomprising a plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes stored inrespective ones of a plurality of jackpot meters; obtaining a jackpotincrement; and updating the jackpot meters by selectively incrementingone of the jackpot prizes with the jackpot increment.
 2. A method asclaimed in claim 1, comprising obtaining a plurality of jackpotincrements and incrementing one of the jackpot prizes for each jackpotincrement.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 2, comprising determiningthat one of the plurality of separate jackpot prizes has reached a prizethreshold due to prior jackpot increments, and subsequently updating thejackpot meters by selectively incrementing one of the one or more otherjackpot prizes with each jackpot increment.
 4. A method as claimed inclaim 2, wherein selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprisesrandomly determining which of the jackpot prizes to increment inaccordance with probabilities set to provide a desired apportionment ofthe increments between the jackpot prizes.
 5. A method as claimed inclaim 2, wherein selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprisesincrementing the jackpot prizes in accordance with a designated sequenceof increments to apportion the increments between the jackpot prizes. 6.A jackpot controller, the jackpot controller arranged to: conduct aprogressive jackpot game comprising a plurality of separate progressivejackpot prizes stored in respective ones of a plurality of jackpotmeters; receive a jackpot increment; and update the jackpot meters byselectively incrementing one of the jackpot prizes with the jackpotincrement.
 7. A jackpot controller as claimed in claim 6, arranged toreceive a plurality of jackpot increments and incrementing one of thejackpot prizes for each jackpot increment.
 8. A jackpot controller asclaimed in claim 7, arranged to determine that one of the plurality ofseparate jackpot prizes has reached a prize threshold due to priorjackpot increments, and subsequently update the jackpot meters byselectively incrementing one of the one or more other jackpot prizeswith each jackpot increment.
 9. A jackpot controller as claimed in claim7, wherein selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprises thejackpot controller randomly determining which of the jackpot prizes toincrement in accordance with probabilities set to provide a desiredapportionment of the increments between the jackpot prizes.
 10. Ajackpot controller as claimed in claim 7, wherein selectivelyincrementing the jackpot prizes comprises the jackpot controllerincrementing the jackpot prizes in accordance with a designated sequenceof increments to apportion the increments between the jackpot prizes.11. A gaming system comprising: a jackpot controller; a plurality ofjackpot meters storing respective ones of a plurality of separateprogressive jackpot prizes; and a plurality of gaming devices in datacommunication with the jackpot controller and arranged to communicatejackpot increments to the jackpot controller, the jackpot controllerarranged to receive the jackpot increments and update the jackpot metersby selectively incrementing one of the plurality of separate progressivejackpot prizes with each jackpot increment.
 12. A gaming system asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the jackpot controller is arranged todetermine that one of the plurality of separate jackpot prizes hasreached a prize threshold due to prior jackpot increments, andsubsequently update the jackpot meters by selectively incrementing oneof the one or more other jackpot prizes with each jackpot increment. 13.A gaming system as claimed in claim 11, wherein selectively incrementingthe jackpot prizes comprises the jackpot controller randomly determiningwhich of the jackpot prizes to increment in accordance withprobabilities set to provide a desired apportionment of the incrementsbetween the jackpot prizes.
 14. A gaming system as claimed in claim 11,wherein selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprises thejackpot controller incrementing the jackpot prizes in accordance with adesignated sequence of increments to apportion the increments betweenthe jackpot prizes.
 15. A jackpot controller comprising: a networkinterface via which the jackpot controller receives jackpot increments;a plurality of jackpot meters storing jackpot values for respective onesof a plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes; and an incrementprocessor arranged to process each received jackpot increment toselectively increment one of the jackpot prizes with the jackpotincrement.
 16. A game controller for a gaming system, the gamecontroller the game controller comprising a memory storing jackpotvalues for respective ones of a plurality of separate progressivejackpot prizes, the game controller arranged to conduct a game, obtainjackpot increments based on play of the game, and to selectivelyincrement one of the jackpot prizes with each jackpot increment.
 17. Amethod of gaming comprising: conducting a progressive jackpot gamecomprising a plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes stored inrespective ones of a plurality of jackpot meters; determining that athreshold has been reached in respect of one of the jackpot prizes; andsubsequently updating the jackpot meters by incrementing one or more ofthe other jackpot prizes with jackpot increments intended for thejackpot prize in respect of which a threshold has been met.
 18. A methodas claimed in claim 17, comprising updating the jackpot meters byselectively incrementing one of the one or more other jackpot prizeswith each jackpot increment.
 19. A method as claimed in claim 18,wherein selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprises randomlydetermining which of the jackpot prizes to increment from jackpot prizeswhich have not reached the threshold.
 20. A method as claimed in claim17, wherein each jackpot increment is divided amongst jackpot prizeswhich have not reached the threshold and once a jackpot prize reachesthe threshold, increments intended for the jackpot which has reached thethreshold are provided to a designated one or more of the one or moreother jackpot prizes.
 21. A jackpot controller, the jackpot controllerarranged to: conduct a progressive jackpot game comprising a pluralityof separate progressive jackpot prizes stored in respective ones of aplurality of jackpot meters; determine that a threshold has been reachedin respect of one of the jackpot prizes; and update the jackpot metersby incrementing one or more of the other jackpot prizes with jackpotincrements intended for the jackpot prize in respect of which athreshold has been met subsequent to the threshold being met.
 22. Ajackpot controller as claimed in claim 21, arranged to update thejackpot meters by selectively incrementing one of the one or more otherjackpot prizes with each jackpot increment.
 23. A jackpot controller asclaimed in claim 22, wherein selectively incrementing the jackpot prizescomprises randomly determining which of the jackpot prizes to incrementfrom jackpot prizes which have not reached the threshold.
 24. A jackpotcontroller as claimed in claim 21, wherein each jackpot increment isdivided amongst jackpot prizes which have not reached the threshold andonce a jackpot prize reaches the threshold, increments intended for thejackpot which has reached the threshold are provided to a designated oneor more of the one or more other jackpot prizes.
 25. A gaming systemcomprising: a jackpot controller; a plurality of jackpot meters storingrespective ones of a plurality of jackpot prizes; and a plurality ofgaming devices in data communication with the jackpot controller andarranged to communicate jackpot increments to the jackpot controller,the jackpot controller arranged to: determine that a threshold has beenreached in respect of one of plurality of separate progressive jackpotprizes; and update the jackpot meters by incrementing one or more of theother jackpot prizes with jackpot increments intended for the jackpotprize in respect of which a threshold has been met subsequent to thethreshold being met.
 26. A gaming system as claimed in claim 25, whereinthe jackpot controller is arranged to update the jackpot meters byselectively incrementing one of the one or more other jackpot prizeswith each jackpot increment.
 27. A gaming system as claimed in claim 25,wherein selectively incrementing the jackpot prizes comprises randomlydetermining which of the jackpot prizes to increment from jackpot prizeswhich have not reached the threshold.
 28. A gaming system as claimed inclaim 25, wherein each jackpot increment is divided amongst jackpotprizes which have not reached the threshold and once a jackpot prizereaches the threshold, increments intended for the jackpot which hasreached the threshold are provided to a designated one or more of theone or more other jackpot prizes.
 29. A jackpot controller comprising: anetwork interface via which the jackpot controller receives jackpotincrements; a plurality of jackpot meters storing jackpot values forrespective ones of a plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes;and an increment processor arranged to process each received jackpotincrement, determine that a threshold has been reached in respect of oneof plurality of separate progressive jackpot prizes, and increment oneor more of the other jackpot prizes with any jackpot increments intendedfor the jackpot prize in respect of which a threshold has been met. 30.A game controller for a gaming system, the game controller arranged toconduct a game, the game controller comprising a memory storing jackpotvalues for respective ones of a plurality of separate progressivejackpot prizes, and being arranged to conduct a game, obtain jackpotincrements based on play of the game, determine that a threshold hasbeen reached in respect of one of plurality of separate progressivejackpot prizes, and increment one or more of the other jackpot prizeswith any jackpot increments intended for the jackpot prize in respect ofwhich a threshold has been met.
 31. A method as claimed in claim 1,further comprising executing computer program code to conduct, toobtain, and to update.
 32. A method as claimed in claim 31, furthercomprising storing said computer program code in a tangible computerreadable medium.